Couple killed in front of son in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified assailant shot dead a couple in front of their five-year-old son in their house in Sampaloc, Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Law firm employee Ronaldo Batuto, 35; his wife, Nina, and their son were sleeping when the assailant – described as a tall, fair-skinned man wearing a cap, a black jacket and slippers – entered their house along G. Tuazon street and shot the victims at around 1:20 a.m., according to Manila Police District Station 4 chief Superintendent Manhan Muarip.

The boy is in the custody of MPD homicide section head Senior Inspector Steve Casimiro, who is handling the case.

Witnesses said that after the shooting, the assailant ran to a waiting Toyota Avanza that sped toward Lacson Avenue.

Casimiro said there were no signs of forced entry in the house, indicating that the victims may have known their killer.

Crime scene investigators recovered seven spent .45 caliber bullet shells in the home.

The Batutos’ neighbors said the victims moved in last March. They said they heard Nina asking for help after the first two shots, which was followed by five more.

The victims bore gunshot wounds in the chest and shoulders, police said.